To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Overview

Two specializations are offered: agricultural education, and communication and leadership development. Each requires core technical agriculture courses and preprofessional education. Department advisors help students in selecting appropriate electives.

Agricultural Education

The agricultural education specialization provides the basic courses for agricultural teacher certification in Florida. Students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to enter the teacher education specialization and, during their first semester, attain a passing score on the general knowledge portion of the FTCE. An internship is required for this specialization. In addition, graduates must apply to the Florida Department of Education for certification.

This specialization is also offered at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Plant City, Fla.

Semester 4

Model Semester Plan

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Communication and Leadership Development

Communication and leadership development prepares students for entry into agribusiness and communication positions related to human resource development, strategic communication, governmental relations, media relations, corporate training and development, and non-formal education. To build the capacity of students within the CLD undergraduate specialization to serve as catalysts in society, they will take a sequence of courses in both communication and leadership to build upon individual skill sets and specific interests of the student. All students within this specialization will further enhance their knowledge and skills in communication and leadership within the context of agricultural and life sciences through courses that will provide them foundations in all forms of communication (digital, speaking, and writing) and leadership (interpersonal, groups and teams, organizations and global) in addition to specific areas such as social media, change, public issues and campaign strategies.

To graduate, students must earn minimum grades of C in AEC 3073 Intercultural Communication, AEC 3070C Digital Media Production in Agricultural and Life Sciences, AEC 3414 Leadership Development, AEC 4031 The Communication Process in Agricultural and Life Sciences, AEC 4052 Communication Campaign Strategies in Agricultural and Life Sciences and AEC 4434 Communication and Leadership in Groups and Teams.

This specialization is also offered at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Plant City, Fla.

Critical Tracking

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students

Semester 4

Model Semester Plan

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

AEC 3033C Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life SciencesWR

3

AEC 3065 Issues in Agricultural and Life Sciences

3

Electives

6

Physical ScienceGE-P

3

Total

15

Semester 5

Credits

AEC 3070C Digital Media Production in Agricultural and Life Sciences

3

AEC 3073 Intercultural CommunicationGE-S, D or N

3

AEC 3413 Working with People: Interpersonal Leadership Skills

3

AEC 3414 Leadership Development

3

AEC 4031 The Communication Process in Agricultural and Life Sciences

3

Total

15

Semester 6

Credits

AEB 3133 Principles of Agribusiness Management

3

AEC 4035 Communication Practices for Agricultural and Life SciencesWR

3

Choose two courses
AEC 3209 Instructional and Event Planning in Agricultural and Life Sciences or
AEC 4036 Advanced Agricultural Communication Production or
AEC 4417 Leadership for Personal and Organizational Change or
AEC 4465 Global Leadership or
FYC 4408 Organizational Leadership for Nonprofits or
PUR 3000 Principles of Public Relations

AEC 4052 Communication Campaign Strategies in Agricultural and Life Sciences

3

​Choose one course
AEC 3209 Instructional and Event Planning in Agricultural and Life Sciences or
AEC 4036 Advanced Agricultural Communication Production or
AEC 4417 Leadership for Personal and Organizational Change or
AEC 4465 Global Leadership or
FYC 4408 Organizational Leadership for Nonprofits or
PUR 3000 Principles of Public Relations